Top doc Charlotte Jones attributes the recent rise of STDs in the older population to the "Fifty Shades of Grey effect," which Jones believes has encouraged older couples to be more adventurous in bed.

Jones, who is also chairwoman of the British Medical Association's GP Committee, believes the books' success is boosting sexual confidence and hampering contraceptive use.

"When it comes to forgetting about safe sex we always think of the vulnerability of young people," Jones said, according to the Daily Mail.

"But there's the Fifty Shades of Grey effect where older people are being more explorative, but not necessarily remembering to use a condom," she added.

"Anyone, of any age, going into new relationships should be thinking about safe sex and particularly the role of condoms.

"People need to take care," she said, adding that many doctors have started seeing a rise in rates of gonorrhea and syphilis along with more common thrush and Chlamydia.

"I would always advise anyone who has got any symptoms to get them checked out, whether at a GUM clinic where they can be anonymous or with their GP," Jones said.

"Do not be embarrassed, we have seen it all before, it cannot come as a surprise to us," she added.